"WAH" 2003 Obituary

WAHL o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-07-26 published
'She wore a smile all the time'
A nursing 'hero' cared for severe acute respiratory syndrome
victims, became one herself and died not knowing the fate of
her husband
By Allison
LAWLORSaturday,July 26, 2003 - Page F10
'I don't think she worried about it," Michael
TANG says of his
mother. "She was very invincible."
But Tecla LIN knew the risks far better than most people. She
was among the first to volunteer when West Park Healthcare Centre,
where she was a part-time nurse, set up a special unit to treat
Toronto health-care workers stricken in the city's initial outbreak
of sudden acute respiratory syndrome.
It was dangerous duty, but she knew what to watch for -- especially
the high fever so closely associated with the mysterious disease.
So, whenever she went to sleep, a thermometer could be found
with the face creams and makeup on her bedside table.
Then, on April 4, she realized she had sudden acute respiratory
syndrome symptoms and immediately checked herself into Sunnybrook
and Women's College Health Sciences Centre.
"We didn't think much of it the first week or so," recalls Mr.
TANG, 32. "We remained optimistic."
But Ms. LIN's health started to deteriorate and soon she required
an oxygen mask. For three months she remained in hospital, and
"it got harder and harder for her to breathe," her son says.
Last month she was transferred to the William Osler Health Centre
in Etobicoke, where she died last Saturday morning at the age
of 58.
She probably knew the end was near. What she didn't know was
that Chi Sui
LIN, the husband she had infected, had passed away
just three weeks after she went into Sunnybrook.
Mr. TANG says he and his brother Wilson decided to keep their
stepfather's death from their mother, feeling she needed all
her strength to fight her own illness.
Born on December 18, 1944, in Hong Kong, Tecla Lai Yin
WONG was
the eldest of four children. Her father died while she was still
young, and she became largely responsible for supporting the
family.
"There was a great deal of obligation to help the family and
to help others," Mr.
TANG says.
After graduating from the Government School of Nursing, she began
her career in Kowloon, Hong Kong, in 1968, spending five years
as an operating-room nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
In June, 1968, she married Augustine
TANG, the father of Wilson
and Michael. Five years later, the couple (who divorced in the
mid-1980s) brought their family to Canada, settling in Toronto
and opening a Chinese restaurant.
Ms. LIN worked in the struggling restaurant with her husband
but in 1977 landed a job at the Doctors Hospital, where she worked
there for more than 20 years. In that time, she became a specialist
in dealing with high-maintenance patients. She also went back
to school, to earn her nursing degree from Ryerson University
and to complete a certificate in critical-care nursing.
She started to work part-time at West Park Healthcare Centre
in October, 1999, mainly in the rehabilitation centre's respiratory-services
unit. She also worked part-time at the Toronto Rehabilitation
Institute, often on the night shift.
By working at night, she could spend the day doing the other
things that she enjoyed. She regularly went to the Chinese Community
Centre of Ontario in downtown Toronto with Mr.
LIN, whom she
had married after her divorce from Mr.
TANG in the mid-1980s.
"They were very devoted to each other," says Donald
CHEN, president
of the community centre, where Ms.
LIN became an executive director.
"The two of them would come in together and enjoy the company
of others."
Almost 20 years his wife's senior, Mr.
LIN had lived in Taiwan
before coming to Canada. He served in the air force, Mr.
CHEN
said, and went on to become a teacher and then the head of an
elementary school.
"We called him 'Principal,' " he said.
Mr. LIN was in his mid-70s when he died, and had long been retired.
His own children live in Taiwan, according to Mr.
TANG, who says
he was not close to his stepfather.
At the centre, Ms.
LIN organized such activities for the women
as tai chi, gardening and dancing. But she also had a passion
for mahjong, the popular Chinese tile game, often taking on some
of the seniors at the centre.
"She could play all night," Mr.
TANG said.
Friendly and outgoing, "she wore a smile all the time," Mr.
CHEN
says. "She was very sweet and very friendly," enjoyed the company
of others, and treated people at the centre as "sisters and mothers."
Mr. TANG agrees, saying: "She liked to chat."
She also liked to help. In March, she traded her part-time duties
in West Park's respiratory services for a full-time job in the
new sudden acute respiratory syndrome unit. Fourteen staff members
from Scarborough Hospital (Grace Division), the initial sudden
acute respiratory syndrome epicentre, had been infected and transferred
to the ward for treatment.
The caregivers managed to fight off the infection until last
month, when June, Nelia
LAROZA, 51, of North York General Hospital,
became the first nurse to die. Ms.
LIN was the second. Her death
brought the sudden acute respiratory syndrome fatalities in Canada
to 41, all in Ontario.
Colleagues at West Park Healthcare Centre are in mourning. Last
weekend, the hospital lowered its flag to half-mast, and later
issued a statement saying that Ms.
LIN, "like everyone else who
had worked to contain sudden acute respiratory syndrome and care
for patients under stressful and extreme circumstances, was considered
a hero."
Barbara WAHL, president of the Ontario Nurses' Association, says
that "I certainly heard outstanding things about her nursing
care. She was totally dedicated."
Her death, Ms.
WAHL adds, "is a terrible blow to her colleagues,"
and to her profession.
Those co-workers remember her compassion and generosity.
"Tecla provided a unique mix of skilled nursing and unwavering
compassion for her patients and fellow staff members," the statement
says. "Popular, hard working and beloved by many, she would even
sometimes bring lunch for her colleagues."
She was also, her son says, "known for her resilience and strength."
Even while confined to her hospital bed, she was trying to plan
a wedding -- Wilson, 34, is to be married in September. "She
was really looking forward to it," brother Michael says.
A private funeral service for family, Friends and invited guests
will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Hong Kong Funeral Home,
located at 8088 Yonge Street, in Thornhill, Ontario
The public will be received at the funeral home tomorrow from
2 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tomorrow afternoon at 3, the Chinese Community Centre, located
at 84 Augusta Ave., will conduct a special memorial service for
Mr. and Ms.
LIN, who leaves her mother, a sister and two brothers
in Hong Kong, as well as her sons.
Ms. LIN was an animal lover with two cats. Her family asks that
memorial donations be sent to the Toronto Humane Society.

WAHLEN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-07-30 published
Harry Cawthorpe Daniel
KIERANS Died suddenly 25 July 2003.
Born Seven weeks early and weighing only 4lbs. 2 oz., 20th March,
1953 in Toronto, Harry clung to life and eventually joined his
large family in Sudbury, Ontario. Although never as robust as
his siblings, Harry earned all but four credits on his Bachelor
of Arts degree. While at York University, he was stricken with
schizophrenia at age 19, so severely that he was hospitalized
in Vancouver from time to time where he had moved to be closer
to his family. Cherished Husband and best friend of Silvana
MONNO
for 21 years and very proud father of his loyal son Christopher.
Beloved son of Thomas Wm.
KIERANS, (Saint John's) and Mary
(MULLIGAN)
KIERANS,
Coquitlam and dearly loved brother of Sr. Mae
KIERANS,
North Bay, Tom (MariJo) Montreal, Murray, Collingwood, Brenda
WAHLEN (Len), Coquitlam, Michael, (Dagmar), Prague, Teresa
SPURR
(Jim), Coquitlam, Kathleen
WALKER, Vancouver, and Paul, Burnaby.
Harry's family have been especially supported by Rosa and Vitto
MILILLO.
Harry will be sadly missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins,
nieces and nephews. In Spite of his long and debilitating illness,
Harry held onto his senses: sense of family, sense of loyalty,
and sense of humour. Harry's determined effort to live with dignity
and grace under a very heavy burden will always be remembered
with loving pride by his family who thank God for the great gift
his life has been to all of us. Prayers will be offered on Wednesday,
July 30, 2003 at 8: 00 p.m. from the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral
Home 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby. Funeral Service will be
held Thursday, July 31, 2003 at 10: 30 a.m. from Our Lady of Fatima
Parish 315 Walker Street, Coquitlam. In lieu of flowers, donation
may be made to the Christopher Kierans trust fund at the funeral,
or to a mental health charity of your choice. 'Good night sweet
prince: and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest'

WAHLROTH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-09-24 published
McDONALD,
GordonAlexander (a Founder and President of Guelph
Twines)
Died of cancer at the Freeport Health Centre, Kitchener, on Monday,
September 22, 2003. Gordon Alexander
McDONALD, aged 70 years,
was the beloved husband of Marilyn (née
PICKERING)
McDONALD of
Guelph. He was the loving father of Lori and her husband David
THOMAS of Calgary, Alberta, Mark
McDONALD and his wife
SusanWAHLROTH, and Paul
McDONALD, all of Guelph. Gordon was the proud
grandfather of Robyn, Brynlee, Duncan, Chelsea, and Jack. He
was the dear brother of Pat
MILLER,
BruceMcDONALD, and Judy
JACKETT.
Private cremation has taken place. The family will receive Friends
at Gilbert MacIntyre and son Funeral Home and Chapel, 252 Dublin
St. N., Guelph, on Friday, October 3, 2003 from 7-9 p.m. A Memorial
Service will take place in the chapel on Saturday, October 4,
2003 at 11 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to a charity
of one's choice would be appreciated by the family (cards available
at the funeral home (519-822-4731) or email info@gilbertmacintyreandson.com

WAHSQUONAIKEZHIK o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-01-08 published
Donald Gregor
McGREGOR
In loving memory of Donald Gregor
McGREGOR,
December 17, 1931 to December 20, 2002.
Donald Gregor
McGREGORSenior of Whitefish River First Nation, Birch
Island who passed on to the Spirit World on Friday, December 20, 2002
at the Manitoulin Health Centre at the age of 71 years. Known for
his gentle spirit and kind sense of humour, he enjoyed spending time
with his family, fishing, hunting, bingo and home projects. He
worked for E. B. Eddy for 20 years before retiring in 1996. He also
served several terms as Band Councillor on the Whitefish River Band
Council and was President of St. Gabriel's Parish Council for many
years. He was honoured as an Elder and Eagle Staff Carrier of
Whitefish River First Nation. He was of the Eagle Clan and his
Ojibway name he proudly carried was Ogimas, given to him by his
father when he was a young lad. He played many years with the
Sheguiandah Bears and was an avid supporter of minor hockey. Much
beloved husband of 41 years and best friend of Mary Grace (nee
MANITOWABI.)
Loving and cherished father of Lucy Ann (husband Donald
TRUDEAU) of Blind River, Patty (husband Leon
LIGHTNING) of Hobbema,
Alberta, Donald (wife
SandrahRECOLLET) and Kiki (husband Stephen
PELLETIER) of Birch Island and Christopher
WAHSQUONAIKEZHIK (wife
Carol) of Sudbury. Proud and very loving grandfather of Donnelley,
Kigen, Akeshia, Paskwawmotosis, Donald, Assinyawasis, Anthony,
Kihiwawasis, Kianna Rae, Waasnode, Christina, Charles and
Christopher. Survived by sisters Lillian
McGREGOR of Toronto,
Shirley McGREGOR of Birch Island and brother Peter
McGREGOR of Nova
Scotia and brother-in-law Roman
BILASH.
Also survived by
brothers-in-law David (Linda), Ron (Nikki), Dominic (Brenda), and
sisters-in-law Veronica (Andrew,) Rosie
GAUVREAU
(Gordon) and
Medora(Don). Predeceased by parents Augustine and Victoria and
in-laws David and Agatha
MANITOWABI.
Also predeceased by brothers
Robert E. McGREGOR, Allan A.
McGREGOR, and sister, Mary
JACKO,
Colleen FONT, Estelle
CYWINK, Violet
BONADIO and Olive
McGREGOR and
sister-in-law Shirley
MANITOWABIMcKAY. He was also a special uncle
to 67 nieces and nephews.
Rested at the Whitefish River Community Centre. Funeral Mass was
held at St. Gabriel's Lalamant Church, Birch Island on Tuesday,
December 24, 2002 with Father Mike
STROGRE officiating. Arrangements
entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.